As you may have heard, Starbucks has admitted that they save the passwords, usernames and other personal details in their Starbucks mobile app in plaintext. This basically means it’s unsecured. Luckily credit card information is not visible and is protected within the app, but it’s still possible for thieves to access the unsecure data.

If consumers lose trust or get burned by the technology brands use to provide a more efficient consumer experience for them (and as a way to gather more data on said consumers), brands are going to lose out on big data. Target has undoubtedly lost some consumer trust and customers as a result of their most recent data breach. This recent news about Starbucks’ unsecured app data may also reduce the number of consumers who utilize their app, which is undoubtedly a huge source of consumer activity data for Starbucks.

If brands want big data, they need to ensure big security of this data.

One Response to “Big Brands Don’t Come with Big Digital Security”

I was never much concerned with privacy breaches in the past. Until my privacy was breached. We live in a time where there are cameras everywhere and everyone openly shares tons of personal and even intimate information potentially with the world. But big businesses have the resources to protect consumers at whatever level they feel suits them. I’ve always assumed breaches are possible. So I don’t whip out my card at every purchase. As convenient as it is. So I’m not mad at Target. I see it as a sign of the times. We protect ourselves how we see fit. At trust big companies to protect us too. Maybe we shouldn’t. Thanks for the post!